The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) is hosting a public meeting to announce and discuss the 2009 Francis E. Walter (Lehigh River) Flow Management Plan and to provide comments and input for consideration.  The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Mountain Laurel Resort on Route 940 near White Haven, Pa.

Workshop Agenda:

• 6:30 p.m. - Networking session for the public and agency personnel.

• 7:00 p.m. - Presentation by the Corps and its partners addressing the

implementation and results of the 2005 through 2008 Flow Management Plans,
and discussion of the 2009 plan. 

• 8:00 p.m. - Question and answer period. The public is invited to address

their concerns about flow management and recreation along the Lehigh River.
Comments or questions will be limited to 3 minutes to provide an  opportunity
for all who want to speak to do so. Additionally, the public is encouraged to
provide  their comments in writing so they can be incorporated into current
and future flow management plans. 

• 8:30 p.m. - The Corps and its partners will form small breakout groups to

discuss the new plan and address other recreational concerns individually.

• 9:00 p.m. - Workshop ends.

The ACOE shared in a press release that "Public interest is at the heart of the current and future flow management plans; therefore public needs will influence future decisions. The Corps and its partners will continue to encourage the public to participate in the process and provide us written comments throughout the year by mail or email."

Flow negotiations have been ongoing for many years on the Lehigh River, cherished for its great Class II and III boating.  In recent years changes at the dam have provided opportunities for more summer releases.  The ACOE continues to consider a variety of release scenarios that range from maximizing whitewater releases to "flatlining" flows to maximize angling days, with a range of alternatives in between.  Several angling groups are actively seeking reduced whitewater flows.

Lehigh paddlers are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn about the ACOE's plan for 2009 flows.  You can learn more at the ACOE's Lehigh Project Page.